The economy is more ‘resilient than many feared’, insists Hunt as UK narrowly avoids recession
The economy narrowly avoided recession in the second half of last year, according to newly published Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. This is despite growth sharply reducing in December. The ONS reports that output between October and December was flat at 0 per cent. Had the figure been negative, the UK would have met […]
Post-Brexit freedoms will boost prosperity, says Jeremy Hunt in major speech
Taking advantage of our Brexit “freedoms” will boost prosperity and counter claims of economic “gloom”, Jeremy Hunt has said in a major speech today. Speaking at Bloomberg’s European headquarters in London, the Chancellor said that “Structural issues like poor productivity, skills gaps, low business investment and the over-concentration of wealth in the South-East have led […]
‘I know it is tough for many right now’, says Hunt as inflation eases to 10.7%
Numbers published by the Office for National Statistics showed the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), the main measure of inflation, rose by 10.7 per cent in the 12 months to November. This is down from the 11.1 per cent recorded in October this year, a 41 year high. The decline to 10.7% is also the sharpest […]
Hunt launches sweeping financial reforms ‘to seize on our Brexit freedoms’
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a range of reforms which will lift regulations on the financial sector aimed at increasing the City of London’s competitiveness. The Chancellor’s proposals — published online this morning — include a relaxation of rules on what banks can do with their money; a new requirement […]
Week-in-Review: If Sunak wants to end the strikes, he must first face down his party
With the Autumn Statement, Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt broadly succeeded in taking the heat out of the financial markets. But as the dust settles on the details of Hunt’s fiscal proposals, other problems are emerging for the government – not least of all ongoing industrial action which threatens to envelop Britain during the festive […]
According to the public, who should be paying more tax?
After the autumn statement saw tax rises for middle earners, we asked the public who they thought should be paying the most tax.
Are you satisfied with Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement?
Tax rises to middle earners, an increased windfall tax on gas and oil companies and a raise in minimum wage. We asked the public what they thought of the plans outlined in Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement…
Week-in-Review: Hunt makes austerity Labour’s burden to bear
“Party like it’s 2010”. That’s how shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reacted to Jeremy Hunt’s new fiscal proposals announced on Thursday. It was a stinging criticism. Amounting to a fiscal rejig worth £55 billion, Reeves is right in her assessment: the Autumn Statement is the most austere economic plan announced since George Osborne’s “emergency budget”. It […]
Labour government ‘won’t be able to do everything we want’, says Reeves
Rachel Reeves, Labour’s shadow chancellor, has said that a Labour government would not be “able to do everything we want” when taking power because of the economic “mess” caused by the Conservatives. Speaking to BBC Breakfast following Thursday’s autumn statement, Ms Reeves said: “We don’t know the situation that we are going to inherit and […]
Statement offers ‘a balanced plan for stability, growth and public services’, says Hunt
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered the autumn statement, announcing a range of tax rises and spending cuts. The headline proposals are: The threshold for when the highest earners start paying the top rate of income tax will be brought down from £150,000 to £125,140 The household annual energy bill cap will rise to £3,000 […]
